It was accidently donated to the Salvos Store on St Georges Rd, Shepparton a few weeks ago after Frances began reorganising, she laid the dresses out with other items that were later donated.

Cassandra tells us the Salvos store “couldn’t have been any more helpful but unfortunately haven’t had any luck in recovering them”.

The beautiful 1951 brocade satin and lace wedding dress that was accidently donated was handmade by her own mother for her wedding to her late husband Ken 64 years ago. It was also worn by one of her nieces at their wedding.

Shepparton Missing Dresses SOS

The mistake was discovered when Cassandra visited Frances in North Shepparton to pick up the dress to hopefully incorporate some of the lace into her own dress for her upcoming wedding.

Cassandra’s mothers long 1970’s deb ball dress pictured below was also donated in error. It is white with a high neck and flared elbow-length sleeves and a blush sash.

Shepparton Missing Dresses SOS

Both dresses have huge sentimental value to the family and they are happy to buy them back. The once white dress is now a little discoloured and yellowed with age.

Cassandra’s own wedding is in March so the hunt is now on to find the wedding dress to help fulfil her dream of incorporating her Grandmas lace onto her gown.

“I would like to have both back ideally, but Grandma’s is especially significant to me as we have such a close relationship. To be honest, it’s a lot more upsetting for me that she’s upset about losing them than it was to hear that they were gone. I am getting married in March and was hoping to incorporate elements of her dress in to mine to have a piece of her with me on the day; at her age she is not up to attending the wedding”

Shepparton Missing Dresses SOS

Have you seen or bought the dress? Please keep an eye out online, on your local Facebook groups, Gumtree, Ebay…

If you have seen it please get in touch with me here it would be great to see both these dresses returned.

RSPCA Victoria are giving you an even greater reason to “op til you drop” this National Op Shop Week by offering up a Village Cinemas Gold Class experience valued at $159.

What does it involve? Op shopping thankfully.

You can head out to one of their 15 Victorian stores, buy a fashion item and share it with them on Instagram at @RSPCAVictoria to be in with a chance of winning using #optilyoudrop

It could be any of the following

Killer heels

A to die for vintage handbag

Essential summer sunnies

Op Til You Drop with RSPCA Victoria

To be fair when it comes to op shops the fashion choices know no limits.

Be certain to make sure your profile is set to public, otherwise we won’t be able to see your fabulous fashion find! You will also need to make sure you’re following @rspcavic on Instagram for your entry to be valid.

Another Chance Op Shop in Scullin is joining in the fun of National Op Shop Week which runs from the Sunday 23rd of August to Sunday the 30th across Australia. What better excuse to shop, donate and support your local charities and not for profits. Throughout the week something will be on sale and not just a token 10 or 20% but a massive 50%. Such a great gesture from them.

Another Chance Op Shop taking part in national Op Shop Week

If you’d like to visit them they are based at the Scullin shops on Ross Smith Crescent. You can read more about them on the directory listing here. If you’d like to add your op shop, vintage store, recycle centre or second hand shop to the directory you can add it here. Is your op shop getting involved with national Op Shop Week? If so feel free to drop me out some information on the form below. [contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Op Shop Name’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Op Shop Address’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]